Gods of Jade and Shadow

by Moreno-Garcia, Silvia
ISBN: 9780525620778
4.8 (6)
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Used - Trade Paperback - 9780525620778

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Overview

The Mayan god of death sends a young woman on a harrowing, life-changing journey in this dark, one-of-a-kind fairy tale inspired by Mexican folklore.

"A spellbinding fairy tale rooted in Mexican mythology . . . Gods of Jade and Shadow is a magical fairy tale about identity, freedom, and love, and it's like nothing you've read before."--Bustle

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY TORDOTCOM AND THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Jazz Age is in full swing, but Casiopea Tun is too busy cleaning the floors of her wealthy grandfather's house to listen to any fast tunes. Nevertheless, she dreams of a life far from her dusty small town in southern Mexico. A life she can call her own.

Yet this new life seems as distant as the stars, until the day she finds a curious wooden box in her grandfather's room. She opens it--and accidentally frees the spirit of the Mayan god of death, who requests her help in recovering his throne from his treacherous brother. Failure will mean Casiopea's demise, but success could make her dreams come true.

In the company of the strangely alluring god and armed with her wits, Casiopea begins an adventure that will take her on a cross-country odyssey from the jungles of Yucat n to the bright lights of Mexico City--and deep into the darkness of the Mayan underworld.

Praise for Gods of Jade and Shadow

"A dark, dazzling fairy tale . . . a whirlwind tour of a 1920s Mexico vivid with jazz, the memories of revolution, and gods, demons, and magic."--NPR

"Snappy dialog, stellar worldbuilding, lyrical prose, and a slow-burn romance make this a standout. . . . Purchase where Naomi Novik, Nnedi Okorafor, and N. K. Jemisin are popular."--Library Journal (starred review)

"A magical novel of duality, tradition, and change . . . Moreno-Garcia's seamless blend of mythology and history provides a ripe setting for Casiopea's stellar journey of self-discovery, which culminates in a dramatic denouement. Readers will gladly immerse themselves in Moreno-Garcia's rich and complex tale of desperate hopes and complicated relationships."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Casiopea is not a damsel in distress, but rather a young woman coming of age in a time where music, myth, art and exploration thrum colorfully around her. . . . Readers will be floored by Moreno-Garcia's painstaking attention to detail. Her descriptions of the emotionally charged interactions between realistic human characters and otherworldly gods, witches and demonic forces are unforgettable, as are the fairy-tale and folktale aspects of the plot."--BookPage (starred review)

  • Format: TradePaperback
  • Author: Moreno-Garcia, Silvia
  • ISBN: 9780525620778
  • Condition: Used
  • Dimensions: 8.20 x 0.80
  • Number Of Pages: 384
  • Publication Year: 2020

Customer Reviews

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4 ★   17%
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4.8
6 Ratings

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  • A new take on the gods of the Maya

    Laura K. - 3 years ago

    This story takes place in Jazz Age Mexico with a girl named Casiopea who finds herself allied with the Mayan God of the Underworld in a road trip through Mexico and the Southwest. The writing has a lovely dreamlike quality and the characters are just well-constructed. Moreno-Garcia has several books at the top of a lot of lists and this one was nominated for a Nebula award. If you are looking for fresh mythological retelling this is a great book for that!

    HPB Staff Review

  • Gods of Jade and Shadow

    helen b. - 5 years 3 months ago

    I LOVED this book. It hooked me within the first 10 pages. It transported me to parts of Mexico and the United States during the 1920s filled with Mayan mythology and fun/scary adventures. I loved this MORE than Mexican Gothic. I liked both though!

  • More of this

    Roselle T. - 5 years 6 months ago

    There are not enough books written in this genre Mexican mythology, the 20s, fantasy it's the best intersection and we need more! #BannedBook

  • 11/10

    Gabrielle A. - 5 years 10 months ago

    This book is fantastic! Very well written with complex characters that experience growth and a breathtaking plot. The scenery created by the author is stunning, it really allows to feel like you are there!

  • Nostalgic yet new!

    Laira D. - 5 years 11 months ago

    This book is a great journey through Mexican mythology all while revisiting the 1920's. It really has a little bit of something for everyone; easy prose, romance, strong female protagonist, and loving who you are destined to be. Great, quick read for anyone wanting branch out to a less publicized, more rich mythology.